Metro Plus
Chennai
Hyderabad
Birds flock to Vedanthangal
|
This year, after a good monsoon, water birds arrived en masse at Vedanthangal, attracted by the presence of aquatic food and greenery for nesting.
|
IN THE mellow sunlight a pair of hornbills flap their wings and glide before disappearing behind the treetops. The familiar landscapes over which they fly, have evolved over thousands of years, as man has reshaped the land to suit his needs within the natural limits of soils, topography and climate. The signposts helpfully announce that Vedanthangal is only a few kilometres away as the "kacha" road forks on the right of the main highway. The road leading to Vedanthangal is no way promising but expectations are aroused despite the arid scene with isolated patches of greenery and no relief but troops of homing ducks. In spite of the uneven terrain tourists from the city throng annually to see these winged visitors from faraway habitats.
Approximately 90 km from Chennai, the bird sanctuary is located on a small artificial lake dotted with a number of islets. "The lake is about 74 acres in extent, the water of which is impounded by an earthen bund and is released for irrigating the cultivated fields below it. "Trees which belong to the species Barringtonia acutangula grow here'' writes E.P.Gee, a wildlife enthusiast, and "it is on these trees that thousands of water birds breed in the winter months usually from October to March'". The presence of water in the lake, of course, is dependent on the vagaries of the monsoon. This year, after a good monsoon, the water birds have arrived en masse as the presence of aquatic food and greenery for nesting appear inviting.
R.S.P. Bates, considered to be one of India's leading photographers, rediscovered the spot in 1926. Although in November 1926 there were not too many birds because of dry weather, in the subsequent years 1928 and 1929, he found plenty of bird life. It has been said that there had been a bird sanctuary at Vedanthangal since time immemorial. There is a village nearby and bird droppings are said to have provided excellent fertilizer when the fields were irrigated. The earliest documentary evidence of the existence of the sanctuary dates back from the year 1798 or so, when shooting of birds, unless done with a camera, was prohibited here. The birds can be watched from the bund, which adjoins the lake. There is a watch tower to get a better view and the boat ride for a closer inspection did not seem to operate for obvious reasons. Although the holiday crowd was on its best behaviour, the debris on the shore and lack of movement in the water did not augur well for the well being of the aquatic life.
"There is no colour bar here," says E. P. Gee in his book "The Wildlife of India". For, the snow white egrets are found nesting next to the sooty black cormorants. The cormorant, by the way, was as ubiquitous in the horizon as our familiar black crow. The pelicans were a beautiful sight with a touch of pink in their dappled wings. Big birds such as open bill storks and grey herons were nesting companionably next to smaller ones like the white ibises and pond herons. Apparently, there is no hierarchical politics in this community and the general hues were black or white with a dash of brown, ash and an occasional pink. An incredible number of birds crouched on the vegetation unmindful of the inquisitive gaze of the tourists. The binoculars sweep across identifying snakebirds and painted storks from the large colourful signs displayed on the paved way. An ornithologist remarked that despite their different origins the birds seem to be intermingling and only the spoonbills seemed to prefer privacy. On the other side of the bund, emerald green fields stretched on, inviting the white storks, which boldly venture into the villager's territory. The villagers in turn seem to be anxious to protect the sanctuary and vandalism has been strictly punished.
Many factors could cause a decline in the arrival of migratory birds; habitat loss due to low rainfall and consequent loss of food resources and predation. The much-awaited monsoon has not only filled the reservoirs but has also created a breeding ground for the migratory birds. Birds have been spotted in the Adyar estuary by wildlife enthusiasts (Madras Musings, Feb 1-5) and the pelicans in the protected Guindy Park have started the breeding activities well. Pelicans are fabled for their devotion to their young ones.
In English ecclesiastical symbols, the bird is represented as standing above its nest with its wings outstretched and nourishing its young with its blood. It has given rise to the phrase "pelican in piety'' where piety implies parental devotion. The villagers and the natives in different parts of India offer the birds a traditional welcome and protection from intruders.
Hearing a cacophony of chirping emanating from this amazing conglomeration of birds, one is naturally a little apprehensive of the future of wildlife preservation in a global context. In India there seems to have been something of a tradition in this matter of nature conservation. As early as 300 B.C. Kautilya in his Arthasastra has commented that certain forests with game beasts were specially protected. The extraction of timber, collection of firewood or grass, trapping for fur or bones, were prohibited in such areas. Such forests known as abhayaranya were probably the forerunners of our present-day game sanctuaries. In 242 B.C., Emperor Ashoka's edict in the fifth pillar gave protection to fish, animals and forests. Although the British preserved the forests it was done with an end in view — for their sport of big and small game hunting which they pursued with the scions of the Princely States. In November 1952, the Indian Board of Wildlife was instituted and there is since increased awareness of wildlife preservation. Conservation efforts in our country like elsewhere in the world have long focussed on protecting and managing the existing conditions. In spite of dire predictions, pockets of eco friendly areas do continue to exist, a welcome haven for birds and beasts. Birds in wetlands or woodlands have a cultural and recreational value. As harbingers of spring they have inspired literary enthusiasts.
The present mosaic of wetland, scrub and trees continue to support a variety of bird life on the outskirts of our city. It is to be hoped that even after 50 years the wildlife enthusiast may have the good fortune to watch a snowy white egret settle gracefully against a backdrop of an orange sky in the sanctuary at Vedanthangal.
PREMA SRINIVASAN
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Chennai
Hyderabad
|
